repop parts

[Kelley W King]

Just a heads up, parts seem to be running out. Tried to get some firebird seat covers in black no less, guys saying no materials, no help. Friend looking midyear vette stuff same answer. If you are on a project might want to order ahead if they have your part.

[firstgenaddict]

After discussing this a year ago with a couple of vendors - I have been buying up parts and putting them away for anything I have- especially if the parts are manufactured overseas. 

FWIW Ocean shipping has quintupled in price.  40 ft cans from china to US have increased from $4000/per to $20,000/per.

[usa1ti]

After discussing this a year ago with a couple of vendors - I have been buying up parts and putting them away for anything I have- especially if the parts are manufactured overseas. 

FWIW Ocean shipping has quintupled in price.  40 ft cans from china to US have increased from $4000/per to $20,000/per.

For sure can confirm this. We are unloading 18 open top sea containers this week. Machinery from Germany. We are averaging $18,500 per container. The problem is also entire ships are being pre booked by the larger corporations. Smaller parts mfg and suppliers are out even if they can get raw materials. Cant get a ship at any price. Our raw material situation is still at its worst with no improvement. I think we are in for continuing parts shortages for the foreseeable future.

[firstgenaddict]

I just saw that COSTCO and HOME DEPOT have leased entire ships along with a few thousand cans. Costco 3 ships and I don't believe I heard the number for HD.

Side Note...
I used to send cans to China and elsewhere in the far east. 
Cost me $385/40 foot high cube to ship from Charleston SC to Shanghai -
It cost me more to get the cans from Greenville SC to Charleston SC - $550.

[z28z11]

I think if you couple this with the fact that the restoration hobby is shrinking perceptably, in that there are fewer cars every year to restore (at least the ones we favor), added with the lack of newer inductees to the hobby and the steady loss of the older generations, and the sources begin to dry up. Example - several years back, you could find reproduction AIR tubes for '68 small blocks and/or '68 Z28 applications everywhere. Tried to find those lately ? Made from unobtanium. Need Sealed Power 11:1 forged 327 pistons ? Better hurry. Some things are already pretty scarce.

I believe it's going to be a lot worse than we expect in the short term. Manufacturers are having extreme problems finding and keeping employees, material flow is horrible, low volume production items get cut quickly or obsoleted, maybe never to return. I'm not a pessimistic person, but the alarm bells are going off. If you need it, can aford it, and can find it, better stockpile it.

JMO -

Steve 

[69Z28-RS]

Speaking of AIR pipes, are they available for '69 Z28's??   What is the source for the best ones, Or are they all made by the same company?

[67conv6cyl]

I believe certain cars Camaro’s, Corvettes, Mustangs, and some trucks will have many years of companies making repo parts…..you will even see electric motor set up kits for early Camaro’s and Mustangs. After all there are repo bodies. I see quite a lot of the younger generations that like early Mustangs early Camaro’s and trucks over other classic cars.
Now I do see a lots of lost interest in 50’s and older cars the younger generation doesn’t seem to have as much interest in them.
I do know of a 19 year old kid that wanted an early Camaro or Mustang for his every day driver…he looked at many and finally decided on a 67 mustang coupe…because it was all he could afford. His mom was a sales rep whom knew I had a few collector cars and asked if I mind looking over some cars that they found on internet for him.

[z28z11]

Speaking of AIR pipes, are they available for '69 Z28's??   What is the source for the best ones, Or are they all made by the same company?

Gary,

'69 Z and '69 BB pipes are still available from several vendors - PartsPlace, Central, Ecklers among others. Since pricing seems pretty close between the vendors, you can't rule out a single manufacturing source. That was likely the cause of the '68 pipes blinking out - when they went, everyone ran out at the same time. I managed to buy what I think was one of the last sets available from Year One - the only place I could find it as a stock item. They had one set -

If you need a set, I'd suggest getting one while they are around, pricing starts at about $89.00 for the set (see the link). Look for the ones listed with the oxide or Parkerized finish rather than HT paint - closest to OE IMO.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/271240398503?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Regards,
Steve

[69Z28-RS]

thanks for the information Steve.  I looked yesterday and mostly determined what you're saying ($89 everywhere), but only saw the black painted versions....  I'll look again for the oxide or parkerized...

[z28z11]

Gary,

I think we may be down to one manufacturer now - all likely from the Taiwan source. Price ranges from $89 to $109, all appear to be painted black. The Classic Industries set has the best description, appears to be semi-gloss; you can always refinish a set to get closer to the original (at least they are still available !)

Regards,
Steve

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks Steve,

I probably have no choice but to purchase one and possibly strip and recoat it for my ultimate use, if/when I ever reinstall the Smog stuff.. 

[70z28lt1]

Sorry for the hi-jack, but is there a link to a thread on how to refinish the smog tubes?

[x55cam]

The issue with parts and imports can be summed up in  3 words - utter political stupidity - this was planned in advance for years but would you think that the idiots in DC  who thought this out would have made the necessary adjustments to keep the shipping operation to continue running efficiently? No, that would be asking too much from these incompetent buffoons:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/10/14/the-california-version-of-the-green-new-deal-and-an-october-16-2020-epa-settlement-with-transportation-is-whats-creating-the-container-shipping-backlog-working-ca-ports-24-7-will-not-help-here/

watch the Amazon video


 

[camaronut]

What a mess.  If you think the stupidity can get any worse...

[Kelley W King]

Whatever the cause of the mess is, looks like we are going to be in it for a while. For more than just car parts too.